Ephesus VIP Tours for Crusiers

Experience the significant sights of Ephesus on an extensive, guided walking tour. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, explore the ruins of the Roman provincial capital and the Basilica of St. John. Marvel at the antiquities in the Ephesus Museum and enjoy a traditional lunch.

WHAT YOU VISIT

Ephesus – Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon Theater, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 25,000, which was the site where it is believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.

Basilica of St. John – Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled St. Sophia in size. See the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis.

House of the Virgin Mary – The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered.

Ephesus Museum – This small museum in Selcuk boasts an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved reliefs and artifacts unearthed from the ruins of Ephesus. The famous statue of Artemis (goddess of fertility) is housed there.

SHOPPING
At the conclusion of your tour you will have the opportunity to attend a demonstration on the art of Turkish carpet weaving. You may choose to participate with your guide or take a stroll through town on your own and return to the ship.

LUNCH
Sit down to a lunch full of local Turkish specialties with beverages and be entertained by a local folkloric dance show.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board your motorcoach and travel north to Ephesus, passing the Byzantine fortress at Selcuk, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and St. John’s Basilica. After your tour, return to Kusadasi, where you may either choose to take in a carpet exhibition, or shop on your own in the bazaars. Walk back to the ship at your leisure.

SPECIAL NOTES
Ephesus requires walking long distances over uneven surfaces; to enter the Basilica of St. John involves some walking at an uphill gradient and a few stairs. At the House of the Virgin Mary, there are also some stairs.

The drive from Ephesus to the Virgin Mary Shrine takes approximately 20 minutes over a winding mountain road.

The sequence of tour stops may vary.
This tour is only available during full-day calls in Kusadasi.
This tour is not wheelchair accessible.